Kristen McKay

Kristen McKay is a Tsimshian artist who is in the first year of the First Nations Fine Arts
program at the Freda Diesing School of Northwest Coast Art. She is an Eagle from the
Gispaxlo’ots tribe. Living in Victoria, she was influenced by the culture and teachings of the
Coast Salish people. These experiences inspired Kristen to return to Tsimshian territory to learn
the history, stories and culture.

Kristen began learning basic design elements of traditional art and painting in 2010 with the help
of friend and Coast Salish / Kwakwaka’wakw / Nuu-chah-nulth artist Bradley Dick. Kristen
sought to attain additional knowledge and skills in the First Nations Fine Arts program at the
Terrace campus.

Kristen’s early paintings have found homes with friends and family members across Canada;
she also has an installation on display at the office of Surrounded by Cedar Child and Family
Services in Victoria. Future plans include an exhibit at the Terrace Art Gallery and the Kitimat
Museum and Archives. Kristen also looks forward to sharing her art experience with children
and youth and encouraging them to express themselves through art.